Memorable Pets for Alzheimer’s Patients

My beloved grandma Lil succumbed to ever-worsening dementia before she passed away from heart failure at age 90. Yet even when her mind was utterly spotty, she loved having around a bright yellow stuffed duck I had bought her.

I thought of Ducky when I heard of Memorable Pets, a stuffed animal company started by two sisters who saw the incredibly calming effect a plush kitty had on their mother, an Alzheimer’s patient who could no longer care for her house cat. (How’s this for a sob-worthy anecdote: She was even holding the toy when she died.) According to Memorable Pets’ research, there’s science behind the comfort the animals provide: Functional MRIs of people with Alzheimer’s show the brain’s emotional centers stay active long after the areas that handle language and memory shut down.

At memorablepets.com you can choose from over 20 popular dog and cat breeds, probably including the one your family owns or owned. A portion of the proceeds from every purchase ($29.99 per pet, plus shipping) goes toward funding Alzheimer’s care and research. They also have a charitable “Pets to People” gift program where you can donate a Memorable Pet anonymously to someone in need. Something to remember.